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Wakefield Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Wakefield, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public documents in Wakefield, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this law to ensure governmental transparency and accountability to its citizens. Members of the public have the legal right to request and review arrest records as part of their entitlement to information concerning public safety and law enforcement activities within their community.

The Massachusetts Public Records Law operates under the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute. Arrest records generally do not fall under protected exemptions, though certain components may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal identifying information in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26). The Wakefield Police Department maintains these records and must respond to requests within 10 business days as mandated by state law.

How to Look Up Wakefield Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Wakefield, Massachusetts. Each method provides access to public information in accordance with state regulations governing records disclosure. Individuals may utilize any of the following procedures to acquire arrest record information:

  • Submit a written request to the Wakefield Police Department Records Division at 1 Union Street, Wakefield, MA 01880. Requestors must complete the department's standard public records request form and may be required to present identification when collecting requested documents.

  • Visit the Middlesex County District Court located at 15 Courthouse Road, Wakefield, MA 01880. Court clerks can assist with accessing arrest records for cases processed through this jurisdiction during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

  • Access the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system through the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. This state-level resource provides criminal history information, including arrest data, for a statutory fee of $25 per standard request.

  • Utilize the Wakefield Police Department's online records portal, which allows for electronic submission of records requests. The department typically processes these requests within 5-7 business days, though complex requests may require additional time.

  • Contact the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office at 15 Commonwealth Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801 for arrest records related to prosecuted cases within their jurisdiction.

Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10(a), agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and providing public records. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency location and on their respective websites.

Contents of a Wakefield Arrest Record

Wakefield arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols and judicial requirements. These official documents typically include comprehensive details about both the arrested individual and the circumstances of their apprehension. Standard components of Wakefield arrest records include:

  • Subject identification information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, current address, physical description (height, weight, identifying marks), gender, and race

  • Arrest specifics: Date, time, and precise location of the arrest, arresting officer's name and badge number, and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest

  • Criminal charges: Massachusetts General Laws chapter and section citations for alleged violations, classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor), and brief narrative description of the alleged criminal activity

  • Case processing information: Booking number, fingerprint classification data, arrest photograph (mugshot), court docket number, and initial appearance date

  • Procedural documentation: Miranda rights acknowledgment, property inventory from search incident to arrest, medical screening results, and bail determination

  • Prior criminal history: References to previous arrests and convictions within Massachusetts jurisdictions, if applicable

The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) maintains standardized formats for arrest records across all Commonwealth jurisdictions, including Wakefield, in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 6, Section 167-178. Access to certain elements of these records may be restricted based on privacy protections established under state law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Wakefield

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U. Expungement constitutes the permanent erasure and destruction of records, rendering them inaccessible to both the public and government agencies. Individuals seeking expungement of Wakefield arrest records must adhere to the following established procedures:

Petitioners must file a formal Petition for Expungement with the Commissioner of Probation and the Middlesex County District Court that processed the original case. The petition requires detailed information about the arrest and subsequent case disposition. Eligibility criteria for expungement in Massachusetts include:

  • Cases resulting in no conviction (dismissal, not guilty finding, nolle prosequi)
  • Cases involving mistaken identity or unauthorized use of personal identifying information
  • Offenses committed before the petitioner's 21st birthday (with certain statutory exceptions)
  • Cases where the offense is no longer criminalized under Massachusetts law

The court conducts a comprehensive review of each petition, including examination of the petitioner's entire criminal history, the nature of the offense, and the time elapsed since arrest. Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100K, the court must determine that expungement "would be in the best interests of justice" before granting relief.

If granted, expungement orders are transmitted to all agencies maintaining records of the arrest, including the Wakefield Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, and the Office of the Commissioner of Probation. These agencies must then permanently destroy all records pertaining to the arrest within a statutorily defined timeframe, typically 90 days from receipt of the court order.

The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 expanded expungement eligibility, particularly for juvenile offenders and individuals whose records resulted from fraudulent use of their identity. Petitioners may be required to attend a hearing before a judge, where the Commonwealth may present opposition to the expungement request.

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